Held For Ransom

Held For Ransom

Year: 1938

Runtime: 59 mins

Language: English

Director: Clarence Bricker

Crime

MEET MISS FEDERAL AGENT! She starts where all others fall! A female detective investigates the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Held For Ransom (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Held For Ransom (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Scott's Lodge, Inn near Scott's Lodge, Store, Cave, Mill, Hawaii

The story centers around a remote lodge setting and its nearby inn. Key action unfolds at the Scott family lodge, the adjacent store, and a hidden cave beneath a mill. The journey ends with a honeymoon escape to Hawaii, tying the inland intrigue to a distant, sunlit finale.

🏔️ Mountain retreat 🏡 Lodge life 🗺️ Remote locale

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:14

Main Characters – Held For Ransom (1938)

Meet the key characters of Held For Ransom (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Larry Scott (Grant Withers)

Herbert Scott's nephew, driven and resourceful, he volunteers to pursue the ransom after the initial interception. He shows grit through dangerous chases and confrontations, and his perseverance helps steer the pursuit toward a recoveries and resolution.

🧭 Determined 🕵️ Loyal 🏃‍♂️ Resourceful

Betty Mason (Blanche Mehaffey)

An FBI agent who goes undercover as a writer to infiltrate the criminals. She is quick-thinking, fearless under pressure, and instrumental in spotting the money’s location and outsmarting the crooks.

🕵️ Agent 🧭 Brave 🗝️ Undercover

Herbert Scott (Richard Lancaster)

The wealthy kidnapping victim whose safety is at stake. His entrapment motivates the efforts of the protagonists, and his release is the culmination of the unfolding investigation.

💎 Wealthy 🧩 Target 🔒 Victim

Don (Bruce Warren)

Larry’s loyal friend who joins the chase to recover the ransom. He provides steadfast assistance throughout the pursuit and contributes to the plan to outmaneuver the criminals.

🤝 Loyal 🏃‍♂️ Active ally 🧭 Supportive

Sam Hathaway (Moore Marriott)

The neighbor who is part of the crime network. He plays a scheming role, adding tension as he and the other crooks scheme to profit from the ransom.

🧠 Schemer 🗺️ Neighbor 💰 Greed

Morrison (Jack Mulhall)

Betty’s partner who arrives in response to her telegram and helps track and counter the criminals. He is part of the law-enforcement effort driving toward rescue.

🕵️‍♂️ Partner 👮 Law-enforcer 💼 Investigator

Police Chief Howell (Joseph W. Girard)

The local authority coordinating the response to the kidnapping and criminal activity. He represents the official rescue effort.

👮 Authority 🛡️ Protector ⚖️ Lawful

Constable Lemuel (Leo Daugherty)

A local lawman who aids in pursuing the crooks and maintaining order during the unfolding events.

👮 Local law 🚓 Police 🛡️ Protector

Kimble

The Scott family’s caretaker who intercepts the ransom before it reaches its intended recipient and is killed while attempting to contact Larry.

🧭 Caretaker 🕯️ Dutiful 💥 Fatal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:14

Major Themes – Held For Ransom (1938)

Explore the central themes of Held For Ransom (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Investigation

A kidnapping-for-ransom plot drives the narrative, pushing Larry to team up with Don and pursue clues. Betty’s undercover presence adds tension as she uncovers the criminals’ scheme. The story unfolds through surveillance, trail-following, and a race to recover the cash before it vanishes.

🎭 Deception

Betty disguises herself as a writer to infiltrate the criminals, creating a web of misdirection. The crooks misread allies and motives, leading to twists that heighten risk. Doubt and double-cross propel the pursuit toward a climactic confrontation.

🏁 Rescue

Despite setbacks, the protagonists press on to locate the hidden money and free those held at risk. Law officers close in as the plan unfolds, guiding a decisive recovery. The finale resolves the danger and sets up the couple’s Hawaii honeymoon.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:14

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Unlock the Full Story of Held For Ransom

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Held For Ransom Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Held For Ransom, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Held For Ransom Summary

Held For Ransom Timeline

Track the full timeline of Held For Ransom with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Held For Ransom Timeline

More About Held For Ransom

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More About Held For Ransom

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